www.iFourWinns.com

Uh oh... I have an '07 Horizon and looks like my sx-a trim pump assembly is leaking already... I notice the drive makes an unusual noise when trimming up the last little bit and this is when a bit of fluid runs out... the fluid is likely water contaminated as well I suppose

you can see some tilt/trim fluid dripping below hydraulic line #4... it also looks as if the line is bent.. I don't see any signs of scratch marks so it may have always been like this, not sure...

Anyone fixed this problem before? I wonder if it can be fixed without removing the drive...

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2007 FW Horizon 200 5.0GXi/SX-A

Call your dealer. This was a bad design and Volvo is supposed to have a fix for it (not sure if it's done at their cost, or what).

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

I will tell you all one thing. The left alan screw that holds the cover on is also a pressure relief. I started backing it out and the trim started dropping. After screwing it back in the trim motor runs but the cylinders are not moving. I am wondering now if I need to bleed the system or something? The SELOC manual is hard to follow on this because it tries to cover several different models of trim pumps (in engine compartment and in gimbal housing) at the same time...

Thanks for the info on possible warranty, I will check in to it and follow up

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2007 FW Horizon 200 5.0GXi/SX-A

They changed the cover and hose routing to stop this issue. The covers are junk. I believe you can get just a cover and line kit now instead of the whole thing...I would see if your dealer can do something for you.

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Brian Borchik
The Winds of Cold Springs Harbor Marina
Baldwinsville, NY

our dealer is checking into whether my extended 2+4 Volvo warranty will cover it... since the dealer is swamped this time of year, I also tried later that day on Sunday to refill it with some Dexron ATF with the trim all the way down... I got it working better but it refuses to go all the way up, and is sluggish and shaky when trying to go back down... I can hear gurgling noises when it approaches the all the way down point... hmmm... I wish I could find some better documentation on how this sx-a trim system is supposed to work.... everything I have read says it is "self-bleeding" but I'm just not buying it... I wonder if I need to drain the system completely first in case water got in there?

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2007 FW Horizon 200 5.0GXi/SX-A

It is indeed self-bleeding and that usually works quite well, assuming everything is working right. But it bleeds by way of raising the drive up & down a few times, and if you can't do that, or if air is still able to enter the system, it'll never get there. If it was me, I wouldn't put much faith into that trim system until your dealer can get the damaged/broken parts replaced.

Also, unless the specs have changed (a possibility), I believe the proper fluid is GM power steering fluid (AKA Volvo #3851039). It might not matter, but just passing it along.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

actually in the owners manual on the fluid it says that Dexron 2 or higher ATF can be used (for both steering and trim) instead of the volvo secret formula... but they put a comment in the back that ATF is only approved for non-US customers... lol!... I know they are just trying to make extra money, but volvo formulas are often hard to get your hands on, especially on Sunday... I've actually heard that some people have used even plain motor oil in their trim pumps though I personally would not...

I am hoping I can get this resolved before the weekend cause I think it is going to be nice out! that is why I was trying to see if I could at least make it work temporarily until I can get the pump assembly fixed...

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2007 FW Horizon 200 5.0GXi/SX-A

I had the same problem with mine leaking , but mine was on the side were there is two little white pugs that are glued on .this was around when they were redesigning the pump housing . the warranty did not cover nime because they argued that is something we are to check regularly . My solution was to go to any parts shop gut a tap small enough to make threads and install a set screw in it it has worked for two years up till now no leaks

Silly design, why did they have to put it in the transom mount where it's exposed to salt water and corrosion. Trim pumps have been living happily in bilges for over 50 years. It's not like it's an outboard and it HAS to be there....

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

Lou,

I agree entirely, a pointless "improvement".

Much like the hydraulic steering rams on the DPH/ DPR outdrives, used for the D4/ D6 diesels; when they live in saltwater marine growth on the rams screws up the seals. Each cylinder is $$$$$$ and if you're really unlucky, the steering pump goes as well as it doesn't like pumping salt water and oil emulsion. More $$$$$$$. There is a new version apparently!

Graham

Resolution on this... They put in the patch kit which bridges the 2 sx-a trimp pump designs (this requires new hoses and a new half of the case).. it is now working properly... I did have Volvo extended protection which covered the repair with a 50 dollar deductible... not sure what happens if you do not have this :-/ They don't quote a price for the conversion kit online, but you can see the drawing online at volvo penta store website... I bet if you tried hard enough you could order it and do it yourself. I usually do not buy extended warranties, but am glad that I had this one. I bet it is a messy job since the system is under pressure but they did not have to pull the drive. When I speculated with the dealer about why they changed to external pumps, his theory was that it was for safety in case you overheat your engine. This makes sense a little because if those hoses under pressure actually caught fire they would spew oil everywhere on the fire if it was bad enough... I got the feeling that this was not the first one they fixed for this issue...

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2007 FW Horizon 200 5.0GXi/SX-A

Just a note on why they changed the trim pump to the external. I remember at the time the new style drive came out, one of the benefits listed was the ease of installation for the boat manufacturer during the construction of the boat. The pump was already mounted to the transom assembly, so no plumbing to be done in the boat.

Certainly no benefit to the end customer!

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2009 H180 w/3.0 Merc
Homebuilt Minimax Hydro
2011 Zodiac Cadet 310

I call BS on this, if you overheat your engine that bad, you got bigger problems than the trim lines leaking, like when your rubber exhaust hoses burn off and let water in the boat!
I bet they did it that way, because the boat builders asked them to make the whole package easier to install. See then the workers do not have to take the time to mount the separate trim pump in the engine compartment, and route the lines going through the transom mount. That's the ONLY conceivable advantage of this system.

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

I agree. The "old" design was reliable and time tested. Putting that type of part on the outside of the boat is just begging for trouble. Two of the things I like about my boat: 1) no cats and 2) the trim pump is where God intended it to be.

Glad it worked out for you though, and I'm sure it'll be fine now. Like you, I rarely buy extended warranties, but even if my dealer hadn't paid for mine I would've paid for it. Now that mine's expired and I never had a claim against it I still have no regrets. Boats have issues.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic